MLPA Board Meeting June 2010
Minutes of the Morningside-Lenox Park Association (www.mlpa.org)
Monthly Board Meeting–June 14, 2010
Call to order and welcome
Board members present: Trav Carter, Charlotte Gillis, Kevin Lyman, Dianne Olansky, Susan Schlittler, Mark Romzick, Chuck Tobias
Reports from Elected Officials and Others
Officer Miller of the Atlanta Police Department responded to questions regarding the lack of police responsiveness regarding recent speeding on Johnson Road. He also agreed to report back regarding a recent group arrest in the neighborhood involving the APD gang crimes unit.
Councilmember Alex Wan addressed the group. He noted that the Council was embarking on the long budget negotiating process. He stated that the discussion focused on the City’s ability to fund the mayor’s three principal initiatives: (1) hiring 100 new police officers, (2) restoring step pay increases for police and (3) the reopening of recreation centers. Alex wants to hear neighborhood feedback on which items should be prioritized or sacrificed since it may not be possible to accomplish all. Alex also noted that the parking enforcement moratorium is over. He noted that the city is exploring alternative approaches to parking meters, including possibly parking zones with different amounts of time for different areas. He also stated that the City is focusing on addressing the public safety issues in the area around Piedmont Road and Cheshire Bridge due in part to recent shootings. He stated that the solution will require a team effort involving APD, code enforcement and other city services. Finally, Alex discussed the disturbances at the recent Screen on the Green event and steps the City and event organizers are taking to prevent it from recurring. They want to keep the event if at all possible.
Chloe Dallaire introduced herself as a candidate for Superior Court Judge. She explained that this position handles a wide variety of cases, including felonies, domestic matters (such as child custody), business disputes, zoning matters and other civil matters. Examples of issues recently decided by Superior Court judges include the Piedmont Park parking deck and charter schools. She has been a trial lawyer for over 13 years. The election is on November 2 (no primary) and she is running to replace the incumbent Judge Westmoreland, who is moving to senior judge status.
Security Committee Report
See attached report.
Approval of Minutes
After discussion and a motion duly made and seconded, the minutes from the March and May monthly meetings were approved as presented.
Treasurer’s Report
There was no Treasurer’s report.
Events Committee Report
Susan reported that the “Morningside Cooks” event would feature five homes and five restaurants, including Rathbuns, Woodfire Grill, Rosebud, d/b/a Barbecue and a fifth to be named shortly. She noted that volunteers are needed for both the Monumental Ball and the home tours. Trav reported that the Celebration of Summer was very successful, with 1,000+ people in attendance. He thanked Sweetwater Brewery for their valuable support. Trav noted that the event cost MLPA approximately $2,800 due to decreased sponsorships and lost revenue because of food sold by restaurants. He noted that we were unable to sell beer because we lacked a permit.
Communications Committee Report
No report.
Membership Committee Report
No report but Trav noted that the board would schedule a separate meeting to discuss membership and security patrol issues.
Traffic Committee Report
See attached report.
Parks and Environmental Affairs Committee Report
See attached report. Charlotte discussed a draft letter to be sent to the mayor objecting to recent staff reductions in the Arborists Division and noting that the Arborist Division website still does not contain any information regarding pending tree removal requests, which is critical given the new five-day notice period before removal. Charlotte noted that construction has begun on the suspension cable bridge in Morningside Nature Preserve.
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Education Committee Report
No report.
NPU-F Report
No report.
Approval of Disbursements
None requested. Susan followed up on previous $500 reimbursement request for Data Direct for newsletter.
Zoning Committee Report
726 Amsterdam
Applicant seeks to reduce west side yard setback from 7 feet required to 3 feet 6 inches for garage addition; Zoning Committee approved 5-0-0 conditioned on 16 feet in height, one hosebib, no more than 60 amps and letters from adjacent neighbors. The applicant noted that he had obtained letters of support from his side neighbors but that the back two properties are (1) rental and (2) for sale so hasn’t been able to contact them. The Board approved the application as submitted 7-0-0 with conditions as noted but without the requirement for rear neighbors’ approval.
1814 Woodcliff Terrace, NE
Applicant seeks to reduce front yard setback from 50 feet required to 35 feet to allow for covered porch addition; Zoning Committee approval 5-0-0 conditioned on plans submitted and neighbor letters. The applicant noted that he had obtained letters of support from neighbors other than one neighbor who is in foreclosure. The Board approved the application as submitted 7-0-0 with conditions as noted (with good faith effort to obtain foreclosed neighbor’s support letter).
691 Yorkshire Road, NE
Variance to reduce side yard setback from 7 feet required to 3.2 feet to allow for a deck addition. Zoning Committee approved 5-0-0 plans as submitted and obtaining adjacent neighbors’ approval. The applicant noted that he had obtained letters of support from neighbors. The Board approved the application as submitted 7-0-0.
1180 Cumberland Road,NE
2 variances; 1) reduce side yard setback form 7 feet required to 1 foot and 2) allow for a detached garage to exceed 30% of main structure;
Zoning Committee approved Variance 1 5-0-0 conditioned on garage being 16 feet in height, one hosebib, no more than 60 amps, letters from adjacent neighbors and no exterior entrance. Zoning Committee voted 5-0-0 to deny Variance 2.
The applicant noted that she had obtained letters of support from neighbors other than one in the rear who is a renter. After discussion, the Board approved the application for Variance #1 as submitted 7-0-0 with the conditions noted above other than the 16’ hiegh requirement and with the additional condition that there be no exterior stairwell. The Board voted 6-0-1 to approve variance #2 as submitted.
Old Business
There was no old business to discuss.
New Business
There was no new business to discuss.
Adjourn
Security Committee Report
May, like the months preceding it, had few crimes reported to APD. Those reported continue to be property crimes. Fortunately, there were no violent crimes reported.
Vehicle larceny is our most preventable crime. Please don’t leave anything in view inside your vehicle and keep it locked at all times. Vehicle larceny is a crime of opportunity. If the criminals don’t see anything, they don’t break into a vehicle. Please let your visitors and workers know this.
Please report all crime or suspected crime, no matter how small, by calling 911.
Please remember to keep the doors and windows of your house locked, even when you are at home. In addition, please be cautious when walking in the evening. Always be aware of your surroundings and other people in the area.
If you see or hear something that does not seem right, please call 911 immediately.
Morningside Lenox Park residents - don't forget that Highland Wine & Crystal will accept delivery of packages so they don't have to be left on your front porch. Just stop by, sign their release, and have all your presents delivered safely. You might say thanks to Skip for providing this service to our neighborhood by buying a bottle of wine!
CRIMES REPORTED MAY 2010
VEHICLE LARCENIES (2)
LAR-ARTICLES FROM VE 05/04/10 WILDWOOD RD
LAR-ARTICLES FROM VE 05/04/10 NORTH ROCK SPRINGS RD
BURGLARIES (2)
BURGLARY-FORCED ENTR 05/20/10 EAST PELHAM RD
BURGLARY-FORCED ENTR 05/07/10 REEDER CIR
VEHICLE THEFT (1)
VEHICLE THEFT 05/26/10 HOMESTEAD AVE
LARCENIES (0)
VIOLENT CRIME
None to Report
Parks and Environmental Affairs Committee Report
Old/Continuing
1. Construction started for the new cable suspension bridge over S. Fork Peachtree Creek. Coordination continues between the City of Atlanta Parks Department, PATH Foundation, Morningside Place Homeowners Association, Morningside Nature Preserve Steering Committee and MLPA Parks & Environmental Affairs Committee.
2. The City of Atlanta website for tree postings remains blank. This issue has existed for most of this year. Repeated requests to the Arborist Division have failed to change the situation and the website remains blank. Council Member Alex Wan has also been briefed and is engaged in the effort to resolve the problem.
New
1. 2 field arborists in the Aborist Division have been fired as part of the reduction in force (RIF) process as a result of the budget cuts. I would like to write a letter of concern to the Mayor expressing the opinion of the MLPA on two issues: 1) these RIFs should not take place—the FY2011 budget should include funds for 5 field arborists and 2) the field arborists that were fired were the most competent and professional staff members. The 2 that were retained have had performance problems in the past and neither of them has the same or better, level of performance as the two that were fired. The primary reason for the decision is based on seniority and secondarily on performance. If the RIF must occur, then the best performers should be retained.
